Hamas foreign leader Haniyeh killed in Tehran
Hamas' external chief, Ismail Haniyeh, has been killed in an Israeli strike in the Iranian capital, Tehran, according to the Islamist terror organization. He died as a result of an attack on his residence, Hamas announced.
Hamas confirmed that Ismail Haniyeh, head of its political bureau, was killed early Wednesday morning in Tehran. In a statement, the organization mourned Haniyeh's death, which it said occurred in a "treacherous Zionist attack on his residence in Tehran" following his participation in the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president.
As a political leader of the organization, Haniyeh's significance within the Palestinian group was primarily symbolic. Analysts believe that the real power still lies with the military leaders of the organization based in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif.
Experienced Hamas politician Moussa Abu Marzouk described Haniyeh's "assassination" as a "cowardly act that will not go unanswered." Initially, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps reported Haniyeh's death. In the attack, he and one of his bodyguards were killed.
The announcement of Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniija's death was made by the organization, stating that it occurred in a hostile Israeli attack on his residence in Tehran. Despite the loss of Haniija, analysts suggest that the real power within Hamas remains with its military leaders in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif.
